Printing apparatus



Nov. 1, 1932. A. LANGSNER PRINTING APPARATUS 0672 lags 4 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Jan. 11, 1950 1 A. LANGSNER PRINTING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 13:,1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 2' 7 w wk ml v r 1. v m V z e w -Nov. 1, 1932.LANGSNER 1,886,202

PRINTING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 11, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Nov. 1, 1932. ER1,886,202

PRINTING APPARATUS 66 F ed Jan.7ll. 1950 4811 9 41196: 4

I i g I l v z 68 1 p i 16-? 5a ZHIIL I l l l p 1 l as 1 A/ if) PatentedNov. 1, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ADOLPH LANGSNER, OF CHICAGO,ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO EUGENE DIE'IZGEN CO., OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ACORPORATION OF DELAWARE PRINTING APPARATUS Application filed January 11,1930. Serial No. 420,170.

This invention relates to the photoprinting art; and more especially toimprovements in printing apparatus and machines, and to simplifiedmethods of use.

The main objects of the invention are to provide an improved form ofphotoprinting machine as a whole; to provide for numerous new and usefuldetails in the construction and operation of such machines; to provideespecially for certain operating parts of improved fcrin and simplifiedconstruction; to provide better means for controlling the movement ofthe light generating member; to provide improved electrical features; toprovide a better time elementcontrol mechanism; to provide an improvedform of take-up for the flexible cable which supplies current to thelamp; to improve the structure and control of the worleholding wrapperor curtain and its roller mechanism; and to provide for ready assemblageand renewal of parts.

An illustrative embodiment of this invention is shown by theaccompanying drawings, in which:-

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the device shown in Fig. 3, part beingbroken away to show certain details of construction, and the lightgenerator being shown in its raised position, ready for descent.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the device as viewed from the left of Fig.3.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan of the device.

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 44 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a greatly enlarged vertical fragmentary section of the upperend of the curtain roll and associated parts, on the line 55 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged elevation of the speed control clamping and gearmeans as viewed in Fig. 2. v

Fig. 7 is mainly a section on the line 77 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is mainly a side View of the lamp unit as viewed from the rightof Fig. 3.

Fig. 9 is a conventional diagram of the lamp controlling lines, pulleysand counterpoise, set ready for operation.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged view of the lamp propelling weight as viewed fromthe left to Figs. 1 and 4.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section on the line 1111 ofFig. 2.

Fig. 12 is a detail showing the take-up for the lamp cable when the lampis raised.

Fig. 13 is a section on the line 13-13 of Figs. 3 and 6.

Fig. 14 is a plan of the forward dashpot shown on Fig. 8, and theassociated control means.

In the construction shown in the drawings, the device as a wholecomprises mainly a frame 1, a transparent platen 2 mounted thereon toreceive the copy work, a retractable wrapper mechanism 3 to hold thework in place, a movable light unit 4, operating mechanism designatedgenerally by numeral 5 for said light unit, and electrical supply andcontrol means designated 6 to supply current to the lamp.

The frame 1 comprises mainly a pair of upright lateral supports 7 incombination with a pair of vertically spaced horizontal peripheral bars8 and 9, each of semicircular shape in front and extending acrosssomewhat convexly at the back. These bars are right angular in crosssection with their upright flanges convergent and with their horizontalflanges disposed outwardly. The members 7 each have spaced feet 10 and11 to support the machine uprightly, which feet are adapted foranchoring to the floor if desired.

The glass platen 2 is vertically straight and horizontally arcuate withits side edges disposed rearwardly against the uprights 12 and 13 offrame 1; and it rests on the forward part of the lower bar 8, the upperedge being embraced and held by the corresponding part of the similarupper bar 9. The frame is open at the back, top and bottom.

The work-holding mechanism 3 comprises a flexible curtain or wrapperproper 14 which is retractably extensible over the outward face of theplaten 2 for releasably securing the subject matter to be printed,interposed between the photosensitive sheet and the platen, as will beunderstood.

The right-hand edge of curtain 14 is socured to the correspondingupright 12, as viewed in Fig. 4, and its opposite edge is secured to aroller whereon the curtain winds and unwinds to the right and leftrespectively as the roller travels accordingly, to and fro, over theface of the platen.

The ends of roller 15 have winding drums 16 pivoted thereon for cords 17which are wound differentially relative to the curtain and serve tomaintain the roller uprightly between the forward flanges 18 on theangle bars 8 and 9. Each cord 17 has one end secured to the left side offrame 1 and its opposite end secured to its respective drum 16. etersfor the cords and of the curtain shall'aL formed conoidally with spiralgrooves 19 to receive the cords 17 which are fastened at or adjacent tothe large outer ends of the spirals, as at 20'. See Fig. 5. When thecurtain is unrolled, the effective diameter of the roll decreases, andlikewise the diameter of the corresponding partof each cord windingdecreases as it winds spirally toward the apex of the drum. The curtain14 and cords 17 are kept in tension by reaction of the adjustable spring21 between the'drums 16 and the ends of roller 15 respectively. Saidsprings 21 are tensioned by means of the mutually engaging ratchetmembers 22 and 22 fixed on the drums 16 and the spring supportingpins 23carried by the roller 15 respectively.

The metallic strips, or bands, 24 serve doubly as tracks for the corddrums 16 to roll upon and as binders to secure the platen 2 in placeagainst bars 8 and 9. They also protect the glass from contact with themetallic drums 16. The platen is furthermore protected by felt backingstrips 25 interposed between the glass and the convergent bar flanges18. See Figs. 5 and 11.

The light unit or lamp 4 comprises a source of actinic rays, preferablyconcentrated, as indicated at 26 on the arc lamp of Fig. 8. Said lamp ismovable lengthwise of the platen 2 and about coaxially thereof, as willbe more fully explained.

The operating mechanism 5 for said lamp comprises a supporting cord 27which passes over a pulley 28 on the frame support-ed arm 29, thencedownwardly to the pulley 30, shown at the left on Fig. 1. and finallydown to the counterpoise 32. The operation. of

cord 27 and weight 32 is coordinated with a secondary cord 33 and adamping mechanism 34 having a dashpot mode of operation. The cord ismechanically belt like and rides on a pair of pulleys 36 and 37 at thetop and bottom respectively. This belt is held in resilient tension bymeans of a series connected spring helix 38 housed in the weight 32which is hollow. One end of cord 27 and the counterweight end of cord 33are secured to weight 32 at 39 and the other end of cord 33 passesthrough a hole in the top of said weight In order that the effectiverolling diam The upper pulley 36 is connected operatively as by integralconstruction, with a duplex damping mechanism 34, comprising, a pair ofdashpots 43 and associated mechanism to be described. Said dashpots arerigidly connected in spaced parallel relation and each includes a cup45, piston 46 and rod 47. The rods 47 are connected to crank arms 48 arranged in quadrature on shaft 49, (see Fig. 6) which carries a loosepinion 5O coturnably connected to said shaft by a spiral spring 51 forcushioning the coupling torsion.

wheel 53 which coacts with the relatively small pinion 50. The efiect ofthe multiplying gear -53 is to cause the damper as a whole to operatemany times successively as a duplex pump substantially for eachdescentof the lamp.

The dashpots 44 are adjustable by means of a common rotary valve shaft55 coacting Said pulley 36 is combined structurally with a gear.

with the ports 56 in the closed ends of cups 45. See Figs. 6 and 13.Said shaft 55 has a crank handle 58 which swings past an index scale 59on the face of one of the cups, as shown in 6. The compression spring 60assures sufficient contact friction between valve 55 and its support tocause the valve to remain set at any desired adjustment or degree ofregistry of the passageways 56 and 61. The said damper mechanism is allformed with or mounted on a special integrally cast frame 62 therefor,which is secured to upright 12 and to the lower part of the arm 29.

The tension of belt 33 is such that the operator may quickly push thecounterpoise 32 down for setting the device ready for service, withoutoperating the dashpots, the belt 33 slipping idly over the pulley 36,and the cord 27 lifting lamp 4. During the printing operation, themovement is in accordance with the arrows on Fig. 9.

An arm 63 extends backwardly from the casing of lamp 4 and slidably'engages an upright guide rod 64 fixed on frame 1.

The electrical supply and control means 6 comprises mainly a flexibleduplex cable 65 leading to the lamp 4 from an automatic unit toggleswitch 66 in the lower back part of the frame. From said switch thecircuit leads through a rheostat housed in box 67 and thence to anyavailable source of current.

The switch 66 may be of appropriate type for reciprocating action toopen and close. Referring to Figs. 1, 4 and 9 said switch has a forkedtoggle. member or arm 68 controlled by a button 69 on cord 33 to openthe switch when the lamp has descended throughout its course. Arestoring spring 71 serves to close said switch whenever the lamp 4 andbutton 69 are raised. The button 69 is frictionally engaged on cord 33and may be adjusted manually along the length of said cord, so as toopen switch 66 at any desired position of the lamp in its descent. Aftersaid button has opened the switch, it may slide on its cord so as not tointerfere materially with the continued descent of the lamp. The arelamp 4 is of usual design.

In order to take up the slack in the electric cable when the lamp 4.- israised, a series of rings 75, or the like, are attached to the cable inspaced relation to each other, and with the hoist line 27 threadedtherethrough, as shown in Figs. 1 and 12.

In using the device herein described, the operator first rolls thecurtain back to the right and then applies the work to be printed to theexterior of the platen. He then rolls the curtain roller to the left andthereby secures the work snugly in place. Said roller may be controlledby the knees, leaving the hands free to adjust the work, that is to saythe tracings or the like and the sensitized paper. The roller tends toremain wherever left by the operator. The lamp is then raised bydownward pressure of the hand on weight 32. This causes the belt 33 toslide over pulley 36 and releases the button 69 from switch 66 whichthen closes and lights the lamp 4.

In operation, the light unit 4, being heavier than the counterpoise 32,gradually descends back of the platen, subject to the retarding controlof the damper mechanism 34. If the work is of a kind to print quickly,the damper valves are opened wider; but if slowly, the valves are moreor less closed, so as to assure the correct time element andcorresponding degree of printing.

Although but one. specific embodiment of this invention is herein shownand described, it is to be understood that numerous details may bealtered or omitted without departing from the spirit of the invention asdefined by the following claims:

I claim:

1. In a photo-printing apparatus having a movable lamp, means forcontrolling the speed of said lamp comprising a pair of verticallydisposed and integrally framed. asynchronized reciprocating dashpotsoperatively connected thereto for actuation thereby and gear mechanisminterposed to speed up the dashpots, said gear including a springcoupling to cushion the torsional stress.

2. A photo-printing apparatus comprising a transparent platen to receivethe work, a lamp in printing relation thereto and movable parallellywith said platen, damping means to regulate the speed of such move mentcomprising a reciprocating dashpot operatively connected to said movablelamp and actuated thereby and having a gear mechanism interposed tocause rapid reciprocation of said dashpot, said gear mechanism includinga yieldable coupling to cushion the tractive stress, and a directleverage manual controller to adjust said damping means.

3. A photo-printing apparatus comprising a work receiving platen, a lampin movable printing relation thereto, multiple dashpotdamping means toretard such movement, means to multiply the speed of oscillation of thedashpots, said means including a yieldable coupling adapted to cushionthe initial tractive stress, and a direct leverage controller to adjustsaid damping means.

4. A photo-printing apparatus comprising a transparent and arcuate workreceiving platen, a longitudinally movable source of light back of saidplaten, and duplex adjustable dashpot means geared to control the speedof said light source, the gearing including a torsionally acting springcoupling to cushion the tractive stress.

5. In a photo-printing apparatus having a movable electric lamp, meansfor controlling the circuit to said lamp comprising a unit toggle switchhaving an extended toggle member, a belt operatively connected to saidlamp for actuation thereby, and means on said belt arranged to engagesaid toggle mem her after a predetermined movement of said lamp.

6. A photo-printing apparatus comprising a work receiving platen, a lampin movable printing relation thereto, a belt suspending said lamp, agear actuated by the movement of said belt, a dashpot damping mechanismactuated by said gear to control the movement of said lamp, a unittoggle switch having an extended forked toggle member, said belt beingarranged to pass between the fork arms of said toggle member, andadjustable means secured to said belt to directly actuate said togglemember according to a predetermined movement of said belt.

7. A photo-printing apparatus comprising a work receiving platen, a lampin movable printing relation thereto, a belt suspending said lamp, agear actuated by the movement of said belt, a crank driven multipledashpot mechanism actuated by said gear to multiply the speed ofoscillation of the dashpots and to control the movement of said lamp, aunit toggle switch having an extended forked toggle member, said beltbeing arranged to pass between the fork arms of said toggle member, andmeans secured adjustably to said belt to directly actuate said togglemember.

Signed at Chicago this 8th day of January,

ADOLPH LANGSN ER.

